Since the arrests of John Mohammad and John Lee Malvo, our phones have gone quiet.  The media, with its short attention span, has moved on to other hot topics.  Suddenly, the "sniper community" is no longer an issue, important or interesting.  Still, we will leave this message posted in advance of the next rifle-toting serial killer.  The circumstances of the incident may change, but its relation to the professional sniper community will not.

When you want to talk to real snipers about the reality of their job, we will be happy to spend time with you.

In the interim, we would like to list, for the record, our official positions on many of the issues raised.

• A professional sniper is a specially selected, specially trained, specially equipped team member, who makes use of his skills, training and equipment to gain a position of advantage, and provide real time information to his tactical team, to aid them in planning and executing a peaceful resolution to a critical incident.  As a secondary function, the sniper provides lethal cover and protection to team members, innocent civilians, and hostages, and if necessary, can direct precision fire against designated authorized targets.

• The mission focus of the professional sniper is to save and safeguard lives.

• The individuals responsible for the string of killings in the DC area were not snipers, in the true sense of the word.  They were serial killers who used a rifle to indiscriminately kill innocent  civilians from a concealed position.  In this context, these were the actions of cowards, not armed professionals.  These were evil men committing evils deeds.  Even they haven't offered a better rationale for their actions.

• ASA does not provide sniper training of any kind to private citizens.  Although there are schools which will provide this type of training for a fee, ASA does not endorse the practice.  There are those who have labeled us "anti-American", as well as less flattering names because of this, but our beliefs are built on reason and experience, and we stand by them.

• We recognize the existence of the so-called sniper subculture.  We know about the groupies, wannabes and enthusiasts to whom this is a hobby and a weekend fantasy.  For the trained professionals we represent, this is our job.  We do not take this lightly or view it as a game.  (There are those who have expressed outrage at this bullet point.  However, the only people who should be offended by being called "groupies, wannabes and enthusiasts," are the groupies, wannabes and enthusiasts.)

• The skills the shooters displayed during this incident did not lend credence to theories that they had special training or capabilities.  Background investigations since their arrest have confirmed this.  Anyone can learn to shoot a rifle with a fair degree of accuracy.  Nor is there anything extraordinary about the rifle or the round they were shooting.  Both are popular and easily obtained by sportsman, competitive shooters and varmint hunters.

• The use of video simulators is a valid and very effective training tool.  Law enforcement and the military have integrated this into their training programs with great success.  However, simply playing even the most violent of videogames will not make the average person into a remorseless killer.  The cause and effect in creating anti-social monsters is never that simple.

• This is not a crime which could have been prevented or solved by more restrictive laws.  You can't keep guns out of the hands of people determined to use them for crimes.  You can't legislate morality or conscience.  We don't endorse the knee-jerk reactionaries who want to ban sniper rifles, schools and other items.  Enforce the laws that exist. 

• The law enforcement agencies involved in this case did their best to solve it as soon as possible.  This was an extremely difficult situation, unlike anything else in law enforcement.  Few agencies are adequately prepared to handle such a large scale and fluid incident.  Hopefully, the lessons learned from this will help to prepare agencies everywhere for the next one.  These were not the first "criminal snipers" to appear, nor will they be last.

• Professional snipers have been working in the police tactical community for over thirty years.  Our actions on operations have saved thousands of lives.  Why has it taken three decades and a series of tragedies for the media to suddenly decide we merit attention?

Not everyone in society has what it takes to become a police officer.  Not every police officer has what it takes to become a SWAT team member.  And not every SWAT member has what it takes to be a sniper.  This is a career pinnacle.  These people have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to their team, agency and the public they are sworn to protect.  They are not trained killers, rogue warriors or "scary people."  Snipers are ordinary people, who have taken on an extraordinary job.  The title "sniper" is one we wear with pride.  Real snipers save lives, every time they go to work.  How many of you can make the same declaration?